President ready to sign Holodomor decree

To mark the 75th anniversary of the Great Famine of 1932-1933

Ukraine

09:31, 20 March 2007

Victor Yushchenko asked his secretariat on Monday to consider today’s suggestions on how to mark the 75th anniversary of the Great Famine of 1932-1933 and said he was ready to sign a decree based on the most reasonable of these proposals, according to the President`s press-office.

The President told Ukraine’s governors and ministers at a meeting of the Coordinating council for the commemoration of the anniversary to send official requests to his office to honor those who contribute to Holodomor research.

Speaking about the importance to recognize the Great Famine as genocide, he said the biggest challenge facing Ukraine was the “colossal deficit of knowledge” about the events of 1932-1933. He said Ukraine’s government and diplomats should work hard to promote greater Holodomor awareness, particularly to support a Holodomor Declaration proposed in the European Parliament.

In a speech to the Council, the President said it was important to coordinate their efforts and formulate an agenda of the memorial events. He suggested that they meet quarterly.

“What we are doing is very important and necessary. It helps unite the nation,” he said. “Do not think that discovering the historical truth is unimportant.”

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